Coyle springs to Elmander's defence

20 Jan 2010 09:13:16

Bolton manager Owen Coyle insists striker Johan Elmander can still defy his critics and come good for the club.

Elmander has struggled to make an impression at the Reebok Stadium since he was signed by Gary Megson for a fee of around £10million in June 2008. The Sweden international has scored just eight goals for Wanderers in 18 months and last made the starting line-up in November.

"I have played as a striker myself and been at different clubs," said Coyle, who brought Elmander on for the last 10 minutes of Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, his first match in charge.

"I think if a striker isn't scoring goals, they are always going to come in for criticism. I have spoken to Johan and it's a clean slate for him, but it's up to him to show the qualities he has.

"He came to the club with a big reputation and nobody gave him that reputation - he earned that through his quality.

"There is no doubt as far as I'm concerned that he can go and rekindle that and show everybody the quality he has.

"Ultimately it's up to him, when he gets the chance, to show everybody what a top player he is."